Some Kentucky lawmakers are hoping to ignore any new federal restrictions on guns.

A bill to make those restrictions unenforceable in the commonwealth passed in a landslide in the state Senate. The legislation is specifically trying to protect the use of semi-automatic weapons and accessories.

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University of Louisville law professor Russ Weaver said while state legislators in Frankfort can't nullify federal law, the state can find ways around it.

Senate Bill 129 says Kentucky will not enforce any new federal law or changes to a federal law that could ban the use of semi-automatic weapons and accessories.

The bill, which won't affect any regulations prior to 2013, would also ignore any changes to the way firearms in Kentucky are registered.

Jefferson County Democrat Gerald Neal voted down the measure.

"Anyone can look at that and tell that it’s unconstitutional,” he said.

Neal said it’s not the type of policy state legislators should be involved in.

He said it’s not proper, when we disagree with something, to use these mechanisms and we should honor the U.S. Constitution.

Weaver said that it might not be unconstitutional.

"There are a lot of different components in this, but I think the bottom line is, by and large, the federal government has the right to do what it wants, except it can't commandeer state officials to enforce its laws,” said Weaver.

Recently, Washington and Colorado passed state laws allowing the recreational use of marijuana, despite the federal law that prohibits the drug.

Weaver said those cases are perfect analogies for what some state lawmakers are trying to do.

“It’s almost identical in the sense that the federal government has the right to prohibit the recreational use if it wants to and state law doesn't trump the federal law,” Weaver said.

Openrange gun store general manger Brendan Montgomery said anytime gun control issues make the news, it's good for business.

Whether the potential law would increase his sales isn't as clear.

"It’s hard to say,” he said. “It could, if the state allows us to sell some things that maybe federally aren't (allowed). That could continue to keep some business going that may be federally regulated."

Weaver said even if the bill becomes law, the federal government could put pressure on the commonwealth to enforce it by dangling some of the funding provided for the state.